22 August 2017

It's interesting what you find when you hunt around in the nooks and crannies of the statutory code:

§ 18.2-417. Slander and libel.

Any
person who shall falsely utter and speak, or falsely write and publish,
of and concerning any female of chaste character, any words derogatory
of such female's character for virtue and chastity, or imputing to such
female acts not virtuous and chaste, . . . or
shall use grossly insulting language to any female of good character or
reputation, shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.

------------------As a non-gender neutral statute, this is clearly an unconstitutional remnant from times when women were viewed as finding their value in their reputation (note that we couldn't have cared less if men were indecent and immoral). I did take out the one sentence which provided a constitutionally sound, gender neutral option, but it was basically a general fighting words option.I have to wonder when was the last time someone was convicted under this statute.

Disclaimer

In case anyone out there needs this warning: This ain't legal advice. Everything in the blog is off the cuff and no one goes back and reads all the cases and statutes before blogging. The law may have changed; cases misread and misunderstood two years ago can still lead to a clinging misperception. Courts in your county, city, or State probably don't operate as described herein. Feel free to be inspired, but YOU MUST ALWAYS DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH OR HIRE A COMPETENT ATTORNEY TO DO SO because I haven't.